Menus as Party Favors

At your next party or celebration whet guest's appetites with a printed menu that doubles as a party favor. Perfect for weddings, anniversaries, showers, graduations, birthdays and any other family holiday or milestone - a formal menu makes the guests feel more connected to the meal and the thought and prepapration that has gone into the menu planning.

Here are some tips and ideas for printing menus for your next event: 1. Share a select recipe Using an invitation format, print the full menu on the front of the card. Remember to include the date and the reason for the celebration at the top. Divide the menu up by courses and don't forget the dessert! It's nice to remember what kind of cake was enjoyed at a wedding. On the back of the menu, share the recipe for the entree or a select item from the menu. If you want to share more than one recipe, try a tri-fold brochure format on heavy card stock. Treat one panel as a front cover and put the menu in the center panel and the recipes on the side panels. 2. Note the wines served Let guests know which wines were paired with the meal and the desserts. It's important to note the country, vineyard, year and grape. Provide a description of the wine's taste, and what food it complements so that guest can take the menu home and perhaps enjoy a bottle of the same wine on their own. Feel free to write your own description of how it tastes and why you picked it, or borrow ideas from leading wine publications that may have a write-up or review of the particular bottle. 3. Tell a story Share a recipe AND a story with your guests. At many events, especially family gatherings, there are stories behind the food being served. Use a menu as a way to outline the meal and share why each dish is special. Maybe the entree recipe has been handed down from generation to generation, or the hosts found a particular dessert recipe on their travels overseas. This will give guests something to talk about during the meal, if they are not already well aqcuainted, and something very personal and specific to remember your party by.